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Behavioural Pharmacology Dec 2023Nicotine use is a continuing public health concern. Smokers are more likely to make risky or maladaptive decisions compared to nonsmokers, so the relation between...
Nicotine use is a continuing public health concern. Smokers are more likely to make risky or maladaptive decisions compared to nonsmokers, so the relation between nicotine and risky choice warrants further investigation. Risky choice can be operationally defined as the choice for a larger, uncertain reinforcer over a smaller, certain reinforcer and can be assessed through a probability-discounting procedure. Acute nicotine administration has been shown to alter risky choice, but because the everyday smoker uses nicotine repeatedly, more research on chronic administration is needed and would allow for assessment of tolerance or sensitization of any effects. The present study examined effects of acute and repeated nicotine administration on probability discounting. Sprague-Dawley rats were used as subjects and the probability-discounting task involved discrete-trial choices between a small, certain reinforcer and a larger, uncertain reinforcer. The probability of larger-reinforcer delivery decreased across blocks within each session. Acute nicotine (0.1-1.0 mg/kg) administration dose-dependently increased risky choice, increased lose-stay ratios (a measure of response perseveration), and decreased reinforcement frequency. Tolerance to nicotine's effects on larger-reinforcer choice was observed after repeated 1.0 mg/kg nicotine administration. The results of the present study add to the existing literature that acute nicotine administration increases risky choice and demonstrates that tolerance to this effect develops after chronic exposure to the drug. Possible behavioral mechanisms behind this effect are discussed, as are suggestions for future research on nicotine and risky choice.
Topics: Animals; Rats; Choice Behavior; Conditioning, Operant; Delay Discounting; Impulsive Behavior; Nicotine; Probability; Rats, Sprague-Dawley
PubMed: 37668161
DOI: 10.1097/FBP.0000000000000753 -
Cureus Jul 2023The journey of heart transplantation in the United Kingdom (UK) has been marked by challenges and triumphs. Following a series of unsuccessful transplant attempts in...
The journey of heart transplantation in the United Kingdom (UK) has been marked by challenges and triumphs. Following a series of unsuccessful transplant attempts in 1968, a moratorium was imposed on the procedure. However, in 1979, Sir Terence English broke the national ban, by performing the UK's first successful heart transplant at Papworth Hospital. This achievement opened doors for advancements in heart and lung transplantation and established the Papworth programme as a world leader in the field. Sir Terence's legacy stands as a testament to the transformative power of determination, perseverance and teamwork in overcoming the moratorium, lack of financial support, difficult colleagues and the failure of his first transplant attempt. Through a comprehensive review of the literature, qualitative interviews and Sir Terence's personal contributions, this article provides an account of his trials and tribulations, aiming to inspire and encourage physicians, surgeons and scientists in their pursuit of innovation in the field of medicine.
PubMed: 37602124
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.42051 -
Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and... Mar 2024To synthesize evidence from qualitative studies on the experiences of women from around the world who exclusively breastfed their full-term infants. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
To synthesize evidence from qualitative studies on the experiences of women from around the world who exclusively breastfed their full-term infants.
DATA SOURCES
CINAHL Plus, PubMed, APA PsycInfo, Scopus, and ProQuest Dissertation & Theses Global.
STUDY SELECTION
We selected reports of qualitative studies that were conducted in high-, middle-, and low-income countries; published between January 2001 and February 2022 in English; and focused on the experiences of women who exclusively breastfed their full-term infants.
DATA EXTRACTION
We extracted the following data from included studies: methodological characteristics (i.e., country of origin, authors' disciplines, research design, sample size, sampling, data collection, and data analysis method), participants' demographics (i.e., age, parity, marital status, education, and exclusive breastfeeding duration) and direct participant quotes, and key concepts and themes about women's experiences of exclusive breastfeeding. We managed and stored extracted data using a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet.
DATA SYNTHESIS
We synthesized reciprocal translations using Noblit and Hare's approach to meta-ethnography. Five overarching themes emerged from the meta-synthesis: Favorable Conditions, Not a Smooth Journey,Support, Determination and Perseverance, and Reflections on Benefits.
CONCLUSION
In the included studies, participants experienced challenges with exclusive breastfeeding; however, they also recounted benefits. We recommend 6-month maternity leave and support from family and health care professionals to improve rates of exclusive breastfeeding.
Topics: Infant; Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Breast Feeding; Anthropology, Cultural; Qualitative Research; Health Personnel
PubMed: 38104632
DOI: 10.1016/j.jogn.2023.11.008 -
The Clinical Neuropsychologist Aug 2023: In early stages of disease, the differential diagnosis between Parkinson's Disease (PD) and atypical parkinsonism, such as Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), could...
: In early stages of disease, the differential diagnosis between Parkinson's Disease (PD) and atypical parkinsonism, such as Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), could be challenging. Growing attention has recently been dedicated to investigating neuropsychological markers of degenerative parkinsonism. The Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (ROCFT) copy score was hypothesized able to differentiate PSP from PD. However, ROCFT is a drawing test requiring multiple cognitive abilities and it is still unknown which of them assumes an important role in PSP performance. Using a qualitative scoring system, we investigated which cognitive abilities underpin the PSP performance at the ROCFT copy trial. Moreover, we evaluated usefulness of the BQSS scores in discriminating PSP from PD. : Thirty PSP-Richardson's Syndrome (PSP-RS) patients, 30 PD patients, and 30 healthy control (HC) comparable for age, education, and gender were enrolled. All subjects underwent a neuropsychological evaluation; ROCFT copy were evaluated with the 36-Point Score and with the Boston Qualitative Scoring System (BQSS). : PSP-RS patients performed worse in ROCFT 36-Point Score and in several BQSS scores compared to other groups. Most suitable scores discriminating PSP-RS from PD were "Perseveration" and "Vertical Expansion" of BQSS. A logistic regression model considering "Perseveration" and "Vertical Expansion" showed a diagnostic accuracy of 83,3% for PSP-RS condition. our findings showed that "Perseveration" and "Vertical Expansion" BQSS scores were useful in discriminating PSP-RS from PD. "Perseveration" and "Vertical Expansion" BQSS scores might be included in the cognitive evaluation along with quantitative scores when PSP diagnosis is considered.
Topics: Humans; Supranuclear Palsy, Progressive; Neuropsychological Tests; Parkinson Disease; Parkinsonian Disorders; Cognition
PubMed: 35997036
DOI: 10.1080/13854046.2022.2112296 -
Journal of Personality Oct 2023Previous research has established that short-term and persistent stress negatively impact mental health, with one proposed consequence being increased impulsivity. The...
OBJECTIVE
Previous research has established that short-term and persistent stress negatively impact mental health, with one proposed consequence being increased impulsivity. The present study tests the short-term and persistent associations between stress and three facets of global self-reports of impulsivity: negative urgency, lack of premeditation, and lack of perseverance, among young adults across 6 months of their first year of college.
METHOD
College freshmen (n = 362) completed self-report questionnaires assessing stress, negative urgency, lack of premeditation, and lack of perseverance three times over a 6-month period. Pre-registered analyses were conducted using multilevel growth curve models.
RESULTS
Confirmatory analyses suggested that persistent stress was associated with higher levels of negative urgency and trajectories of worsening lack of perseverance over time, while short-term stress was associated with higher negative urgency. Lack of premeditation was not robustly associated with stress.
CONCLUSIONS
While both persistent and short-term exposure to stress may be associated with some facets of global self-reports of impulsivity, the relations vary across facets of impulsivity. Overall, negative urgency was the most robustly associated with stress on both time scales, which suggests that this facet of impulsivity may be the most impacted in the context of stress in the first year of college.
Topics: Young Adult; Humans; Impulsive Behavior; Self Report; Surveys and Questionnaires; Universities
PubMed: 36377955
DOI: 10.1111/jopy.12792 -
School Psychology International Aug 2023There is evidence showing that the triarchic model of grit and its dimensions (i.e., and ) predict engagement and well-being outcomes in high school and undergraduate...
There is evidence showing that the triarchic model of grit and its dimensions (i.e., and ) predict engagement and well-being outcomes in high school and undergraduate students during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. However, there has been limited research on how this model of grit relates to engagement and optimal psychological outcomes in primary school students. This research investigates the association of grit's dimensions with academic engagement in math and science as well as well-being outcomes (i.e., positive emotions, negative emotions, and flourishing) in primary school students. Participants were primary school students ( = 10.42; = 1.26) from Hong Kong (n = 279) and Macau (n = 124). Results showed that positively predicted cognitive and behavioral engagement in math as well as positive emotions even after controlling for demographic covariates (i.e., age, gender, setting, and year level), conscientiousness, and achievement goal orientations. positively predicted cognitive and social engagement in math and flourishing. negatively predicted both cognitive engagement in science and negative emotions. Indeed, this study indicates that and may facilitate children's positive academic and psychological functioning during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak.
PubMed: 38603326
DOI: 10.1177/01430343221147273 -
Shock (Augusta, Ga.) Jan 2024Background: Multiple-organ dysfunction syndrome disproportionately contributes to pediatric sepsis morbidity. Humanin (HN) is a small peptide encoded by mitochondrial...
Background: Multiple-organ dysfunction syndrome disproportionately contributes to pediatric sepsis morbidity. Humanin (HN) is a small peptide encoded by mitochondrial DNA and thought to exert cytoprotective effects in endothelial cells and platelets. We sought to test the association between serum HN (sHN) concentrations and multiple-organ dysfunction syndrome in a prospectively enrolled cohort of pediatric septic shock. Methods: Human MT-RNR2 ELISA was used to determine sHN concentrations on days 1 and 3. The primary outcome was thrombocytopenia-associated multiorgan failure (TAMOF). Secondary outcomes included individual organ dysfunctions on day 7. Associations across pediatric sepsis biomarker (PERSEVERE)-based mortality risk strata and correlation with platelet and markers of endothelial activation were tested. Results: One hundred forty subjects were included in this cohort, of whom 39 had TAMOF. The concentration of sHN was higher on day 1 relative to day 3 and among those with TAMOF phenotype in comparison to those without. However, the association between sHN and TAMOF phenotype was not significant after adjusting for age and illness severity in multivariate models. In secondary analyses, sHN was associated with presence of day 7 sepsis-associated acute kidney injury ( P = 0.049). Furthermore, sHN was higher among those with high PERSEVERE-mortality risk strata and correlated with platelet counts and several markers of endothelial activation. Conclusion: Future investigation is necessary to validate the association between sHN and sepsis-associated acute kidney injury among children with septic shock. Furthermore, mechanistic studies that elucidate the role of HN may lead to therapies that promote organ recovery through restoration of mitochondrial homeostasis among those critically ill.
Topics: Humans; Child; Shock, Septic; Multiple Organ Failure; Endothelial Cells; Sepsis; Biomarkers; Thrombocytopenia; Acute Kidney Injury; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
PubMed: 37917869
DOI: 10.1097/SHK.0000000000002266 -
Journal of Clinical and Experimental... Aug 2023Among the cognitive difficulties shown by myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) patients, visuoconstructional impairment - specifically measured with the Rey-Osterrieth...
INTRODUCTION
Among the cognitive difficulties shown by myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) patients, visuoconstructional impairment - specifically measured with the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (RCFT) - is particularly notable. This study aimed to analyze the performance of DM1 patients and healthy controls (HC) in the RCFT, using different correction systems in order to explore the cognitive processes underlying the poor performance and its associations with other signs and symptoms.
METHODS
Data from 66 DM1 patients and 68 HC were included in this study. All participants had a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment, including the RCFT, which was scored using both the traditional Osterrieth and the Boston Qualitative Scoring System (BQSS) procedures. ANCOVA and Spearman's correlation analyses were conducted.
RESULTS
DM1 Patients obtained significantly poorer scores than HC on the RCFT using both correction systems. Regarding BQSS, patients performed worse than HC in both main indexes (Copy Presence Accuracy-CPA and Organization-ORG), and specifically on scores of Configural accuracy, Planning, and Perseveration. Both main indexes - but especially CPA - showed significant and strong correlations with several clinical and cognitive variables.
CONCLUSIONS
Both visuoconstruction and organizational impairments underlie the poor RCFT performance in DM1. Moreover, visuoconstruction ability appears to be sensitive to the clinical hallmarks of DM1 patients. The RCFT is proposed as a gold standard in DM1 assessment and the merits of using alternative scoring systems are discussed.
Topics: Humans; Myotonic Dystrophy; Neuropsychological Tests; Data Collection; Cognition
PubMed: 37934004
DOI: 10.1080/13803395.2023.2274623 -
Light, Science & Applications Dec 2023III-V semiconductors are compound semiconductor materials formed by combining group-III and group-V elements. With properties such as direct bandgap, high electron...
III-V semiconductors are compound semiconductor materials formed by combining group-III and group-V elements. With properties such as direct bandgap, high electron mobility, good homogeneity of large-size crystals and good lattice matching, they are widely used in micro- and opto-electronics, integrated circuits, laser communications, etc., and promise great potentials. Our Light People is someone who has long been engaged in the research of III-V semiconductor materials, structures and devices. She is Prof. Lan Fu from the Australian National University (ANU).As an outstanding student of Prof. Chennupati Jagadish, President of the Australian Academy of Sciences, Prof. Fu is not only a leading researcher in her field, but also a scientist with an independent spirit. She is currently the Head of the Department of Electronic Materials Engineering, Research School of Physics, The Australian National University, where she leads a team in the research of III-V semiconductors.A sincere and humble person, Prof. Fu focuses on nurturing professional attitude, critical thinking and problem solving skills in her students. In addition, she is actively involved in various professional activities, which allows her to integrate research and practice. She believes that integrity, passion, curiosity and perseverance are the key characters of a good scientific researcher and encourages her students to avoid being arrogant or rush but concentrate on good rigorous work.For this issue of Light People, we will learn about Professor Lan Fu's unique charisma as an academic and her fascinating life philosophy.
PubMed: 38057296
DOI: 10.1038/s41377-023-01325-w -
BMJ Open Aug 2023To explore the lived experience of people with lateral elbow tendinopathy (LET) and its impact on everyday life. (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
OBJECTIVES
To explore the lived experience of people with lateral elbow tendinopathy (LET) and its impact on everyday life.
DESIGN
Qualitative semi-structured interviews, analysed using thematic analysis.
SETTING
Conducted as part of the mixed-methods OPTimisE pilot and feasibility randomised controlled trial of outpatient physiotherapy patients in the UK.
PARTICIPANTS
17 participants with LET, purposively sampled from the trial to provide representativeness based on age, sex, ethnicity, deprivation index and treatment allocation.
RESULTS
Four themes were identified from the participants' responses: (1) cause of onset-typically symptoms were attributed to: sudden changes in activity, repetitive work or compensating for other musculoskeletal conditions; (2) impact on everyday life-which included substantial impacts on quality-of-life, particularly due to pain disturbing sleep and difficulties performing daily tasks (related to work and hobbies) due to pain, although most reported being able to persevere with work; (3) self-help and understanding of the condition-with uncertainty about the appropriateness and potential harm of online advice and confusion from the diagnostic term 'Tennis Elbow' that non-sporting individuals struggled to relate to; (4) healthcare experiences-the treatments received were highly variable and often perceived as ineffectual.
CONCLUSIONS
For the first time, the lived experience of people from a range of backgrounds suffering from LET has been explored. Findings suggest that people frequently related the cause to a specific activity. They reported substantial impacts on daily tasks, sleep, work and hobbies. People also reported hesitancy to trust online information without formal healthcare advice, were confused by the common label of 'Tennis Elbow', and perceived the wide array of healthcare treatment options they had received to offer false hope and be largely ineffective. This study provides stimulus for clinicians to consider the advice and treatment provided, and whether the messages conveyed reflect the favourable natural history of the condition.
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
ISRCTN64444585.
Topics: Humans; Confusion; Elbow; Elbow Tendinopathy; Feasibility Studies; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Pain; Tendinopathy; Tennis Elbow
PubMed: 37643850
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-072070